Nevada Investigating Shooting Of WR Wimberly

((HT: KTVN-TV Reno))

Nevada starting receiver Brandon Wimberly was shot in the abdomen early Saturday morning after a fight in downtown Reno. Police told the Reno Gazette-Journal that an initial investigation showed a group of Nevada football players got into a fight with another group of people at a place called the Freight House.

When Wimberly approached the car that had some of the other group in question inside, someone shot him, according to police. They then fled in a silver sedan after shots were fired.

The HQ asks "when did this happen...?"
2:30 in the blessed AM...

"Although his condition is serious, he is very fortunate," head coach Chris Ault said Saturday in a statement. "I have met with the players who were involved. They have no idea who shot Brandon and have every intention of being cooperative with the Reno Police Department. My biggest concern is the health and welfare of Brandon."

Wimberly was the WAC freshman of the year in 2009...

"We know the Reno Police Department is conducting a complete investigation and have instructed our student-athletes to cooperate fully with the police," Nevada athletic director Cary Groth said in another statement. "It is an unfortunate situation and we wish Brandon a speedy recovery from his injuries."

Here's what we know so far, thanks to our friends at KTVN


The investigation is on-going and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Reno Police Department Detective Division at 334-2115 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.

Chris Murray at the Reno Gazette-Journal says in his story that it is unlikely that Wimberly will ever play football again and that he is set to graduate from Nevada after only 3-and-a-half years of study.

It's also good to see Coach Ault admit that nothing good ever happens after midnight. Apparently, two of his football players are bouncers at the establishment where Wimberly was shot...

Broncos BCS Dreams Busted In Reno, Nevada Upsets Boise State 34-31

Take Boise State out of the BCS equation.

After roaring out to a 17-0 midway through the second quarter the Broncos offense slumped. Boise State could only manage seven points on the Nevada defense in regulation.

Couple that with the Nevada offense, led by quarterback Colin Kaepernick catching fire and you have a game that ended in an overtime thriller.

Anthony Martinez hit the game winning 34 yard field goal in overtime to win it.
Joe Tessitore is the one who gets excitedly dramatic...
((HT: Youtube/ESPN))


Here's Coach Pete, thanks to our friends at KTVB-TV in Boise


And here's Kellen Moore...


Here's a post game report (Thanks KTVN-TV Reno, Nevada)

DEVELOPING: Nevada And Fresno Stay In WAC Til 2012

Nevada and Fresno State have agreed to play one more season in the Western Athletic Conference than they initially intended. They now will transfer to the Mountain West Conference in 2012.

The schools wanted to make the change for the 2011 seasons, but WAC officials filed a lawsuit that said they "failed to provide proper notice" to change their conference affilation and would owe $5 million.

WAC Commissioner Karl Benson has announced they've reached an agreement that allows the schools to make the jump effective June 30, 2012, for a buyout of $900,000 each.

More when we know more...

If you're interested, here's the agreement... thanks to our friends at ABC30 in Fresno...

WAC Suing To Keep Fresno And Nevada

((HT: KRNV-TV Reno/KFSN-TV Fresno))

The WAC has filed a lawsuit in a Denver district court against the University of Nevada, Fresno State and the Mountain West Conference to keep the two teams in the WAC through the 2011-12 season.

University of Nevada President Bill Glick issued the following statement in response to the news:

"I am disappointed. It is unfortunate that this matter has moved to litigation before any discussions between the parties were undertaken. We have been very public about our desire to resolve these matters directly with the Western Athletic Conference and to do so as expeditiously as possible. At this point, our university legal counsel is in contact with the WAC's attorney."

Here's your reader from our friends at KRNV-TV in Reno


And one from ABC30/KFSN-TV in Fresno...
John-Thomas Kobos is at Fresno State for a live shot...

Commissioner Karl Benson And His Conference Getting A WAC Job From Inside

I'm willing to bet Western Athletic Conference commissioner Karl Benson has had better weeks. Hell Wednesday was a roller coaster ride of epic proportions.

The day started with rumors flying that BYU might be coming back to the WAC in all sports but football but would play some schools in the league. According to Benson those discussions have been going on since July. Then the day ended with WAC members Nevada and Fresno State accepting invitations from the Mountain West Conference, the league BYU is rumored to bolt.

Well Benson is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Thursday Benson decided to rant about Nevada's and Fresno State's departure during a conference call.

In his opening statement Benson called the moves by Nevada and Fresno State "selfish actions", basically killing an agreement between the WAC members to bring BYU back in every sport but football.

”The other six WAC board members were under the belief that the action taken by the eight schools last Friday indicated a willingness to move this forward knowing the potential outcome would have included BYU and would have stabilized the WAC." Benson said in today's teleconference. "On Friday, there was expressed solidarity and four days later there was a departure.”

Since Nevada and Fresno State took action to leave the WAC following the 2010-11 academic year after the July 1st deadline they owe $5 million and the commish expects to be paid within 60 days.

Benson added,“I wish at this time that I would have made it $20 million.”

So what does Benson think of Mountain West Conference commissioner Craig Thompson?

“Craig (Thompson) has a job to do, and I have a job to do … I don’t look at it as necessarily predatory. In today’s intercollegiate environment, it has become fairly routine.”

I'm willing to bet Benson wants to kick Thompson's backside right now.

According to Benson though the WAC won't get "WACed" The conference will target schools from the Football Bowl Subdivision and the Football Championship Subdivision (the ole 1-AA) for membership. Some of the schools rumored to be on the radar screen:

Texas State
Texas-San Antonio
Montana
Sacramento State
Cal Poly
North Texas
Cal-Davis

Those of us in the OSG HQ have the following advice to Karl Benson: Fold up the tents. The WAC is an afterthought at best and adding a few Texas schools and some very un-attractive California schools is just applying lip stick on a pig. Sorry to say it but the WAC's days are numbered. Oh what memories.

Here's Fresno State's announcement on joining the MWC (Thanks KFSN-TV Fresno, CA)

BREAKING: MWC Invites Fresno And Nevada; Fresno Accepts

The Mountain West Conference has extended invitations to Fresno State and Nevada to join their party. This comes on the heels of BYU looking to go their own way...

You know... go your own way...


The MWC announced on Wednesday that it has offered the two the chance to join and leave the Western Athletic Conference and join a league that's losing Utah - and possibly BYU- next season but gaining Boise State, another WAC school.

But there is an issue... a pretty big one...
After Boise State announced its departure, the remaining WAC members signed a $5 million buyout agreement that would be assessed to any member that left the conference within the next five years.

With the budget issues that are in California and Nevada these days, it might be a big problem- even with the invite...

Fresno State Presdient John Welty, according to KGPE-TV in Fresno, accepted but the deal won't be officially announced until later this evening.

In a statement, Welty said:
“Fresno State is honored to have received the invitation to join the Mountain West Conference. We are seriously considering the invitation, and do so with the best interests of our Athletics program, our university, our community and Bulldog fans as our top priorities.”

Here's the latest on BYU going independent that seemed to have started all this recent mess...

Thanks to our friends at KSL-TV in Salt Lake City...

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

A Utah State University source close to the situation ((Boy, do we like those)) told the Deseret News that BYU is bolting after the quorum of the Twelve Apostles Thursday...

TWTW: Ault Lang Syne, SMU Rolls In Hawai'i

((HT: KTVN-TV Reno))

Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault is, probably, ready and willing to forget his whole Hawai'i Bowl experience against SMU.

He had the most prolific rushing offense in Division I- averaging over 350 yards per game on the ground. He had three rushers clocking in with over 1,000 yards each on the season.

But then the fun began...

Two of those rushers didn't play. Vai Taua, who led Nevada with 1,345 yards rushing, has been ruled academically ineligible. Luke Lippincott, who ran for 1,034 yards, was sidelined with a toe injury.

Then, Ault said that he had suspended safety Duke Williams for the game. Linebacker Andre Davis has been dismissed from the program. Davis, it was disclosed was busted for shoplifting.

Here's KTVN's coverage of the loss...


And here's KGMB-TV's version of June Jones' homecoming...

OSG College Football 2009 Predictions: Western Athletic Conference

Boise State Broncos

2008 Record: 12-1 Overall, 9-0 In The WAC
Lost To TCU 17-16 In The Poinsettia Bowl

Boise State’s run during this decade is off the charts. The Broncos are 54-2 vs WAC opponents since 2002. Boise should get noisee again this year. A BCS bowl might be in the plan for 2009.

Things To Like About The Broncos:

Head Coach Chris Petersen: It’s time to start mentioning Petersen in the same sentence with Nick Saban, Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops. Heading into his 4th year at Boise State, Petersen is 35-4 but look deeper into the numbers for a more intense “wow” factor. Petersen is 23-1 vs WAC opponents, 1-0 vs a Top 10 team, 3-1 vs BCS teams and has led the Broncs to 2 unbeaten seasons.

Secondary: The WAC likes to sling it but offensive coordinators and QB’s will be uneasy challenging Boise State’s defensive backfield. All 4 starters return from a secondary that ranked 2nd in the country in pass efficiency. CB Brandyn Thompson and FS Jeron Johnson are darn good.

Quarterback: Kellen Moore isn’t big or has an NFL arm but he just gets the job done. Moore also won’t make mistakes which is critical at that position.

Things Not To Like About Boise State:

Offensive Line: They are young and have injury issues. There will be pressure on this group to protect Moore.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: Same ole same ole for the Broncos. Double digit wins, a WAC title and a big bowl, maybe a BCS one for Boise State. BSU opens with Oregon after that they can cruise.

Phil: These guys always win. Ian Johnson is gone now, isn’t he? They will be good…they always are, that won’t change. They won’t be undefeated though.

Nelson: I’m actually thinking that Boise will be one of those interlopers that will give the BCS trouble slotting everyone this year. They’ll be that #6-seed that gets to go to the last pick-BCS bowl game. They’ll get to square off against the Big East winner or Notre Dame. Fun times on the smurf turf…

Fresno State Bulldogs

2008 Record: 7-6 Overall, 4-4 In The WAC

Has college football’s annual flavor of the year starting to go stale? 2008 was a rough year for the Bulldogs. Is head coach Pat Hill backside feeling a little warm right now?

Things To Like About Fresno State:

Running Backs: The entire unit is awesome. Ryan Matthews could be one of the nations elite RB’s but must stay healthy. Lonyae Miller isn’t bad either but is injury prone. Anthony Harding was Fresno State’s most consistent back last year and is back. That RB rotation could be on of the best in the country. All three have the potential to run for 1,000 yards.

Offensive Line: Fresno State always has good O-line’s and this one will be to. This group will be a rock this year.

Things Not To Like About Fresno State:

Defense: They were just bad last year finishing near the bottom against the run and in sacks. The Bulldog defense must make some plays, force some turnovers and stop the run.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: Pat Hill will take on anyone, anywhere. The Bulldogs have racked up some nice wins on the road vs BCS foes which gets some attention but just what has Fresno State accomplished? They don’t win their league and their talent level is there and maybe better than Boise State. Hill enters his 13th year in the valley and 2009 is a critical year for him and the Bulldogs.

Phil: I agree. This is the year they get Boise. They will run run, run and run some more and dare people to stop them. It’s a big contrast to the rest of the WAC. If they can stop anyone they could be very good. They will be good enough to win the WAC this year.

Nelson: I don’t think they’ll be 7-6, but I don’t think they’ll be 12-1 either. One other item to consider- the Fresno State athletic department is having to go through severe cutbacks just instituted by President Welty. This means that they will be furloughing coaches just like everyone else on campus. Look for Coach Hill to jet after this year- regardless of the amount of success.

Nevada Wolfpack

2008 Record: 7-6 Overall, 5-3 In The WAC
Lost To Maryland 42-35 In The Humanitarian Bowl

Nevada has always been that team nobody wants to play in the WAC but could never get that big win to win the conference. This Wolfpack team just might get the job done. Mark down November 27th when Nevada plays at Boise State, that might be for the WAC title.

Things To Like About Nevada:

In The Trenches: The Wolfpack has one if not the best offensive lines in the WAC. They do a great job protecting their QB. The defensive line is aggressive and has one of the best pass rushers in the country. Nevada’s defensive ends Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch are terrific.

Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick is special. He ran for over 1,000 yards last year and threw for 2,500 yards as well. He will be one of the most exciting players in the nation.

Things Not To Like About Nevada:

Secondary: That was a big weakness last year. The DB’s were picked apart. That can’t happen for the ‘Pack to make a major move.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: If Nevada can get past Notre Dame at South Bend (and it might happen) then stay up late and watch this team when they are on TV. The Mizzou Tigers come to Reno so there’s another shot to make an impression. This team might be a team to watch as a potential BCS buster.

Phil: Wilkie said the QB is “Special”. This may be your surprise WAC team of the year. They are always pretty good and with Kaepernick running the show, they could be “Special” (I said it too). They could beat N.D…but that will be it. A WAC runner up.

Nelson: Their game with Boise should decide the conference champion. The organized chaos that Kaepernick controls is really fun to watch. It’s high-risk, high-reward. I think there will be more rewards than risk this year.

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

2008 Record: 8-5 Overall, 5-3 In The WAC
Defeated Northern Illinois 17-10 In The Independence Bowl

La. Tech is the team moving up in the WAC. Derek Dooley is proving to be just as good as a head coach as his dad Vince.

Things To Like About La. Tech:

Solid Lines: La. Tech will win most of the battles in the trenches. The Bulldogs return all their big fellas on the O-Line and D-Line.

Things Not To Like About La. Tech:

Schedule: It’s a tough one. La. Tech opens on the road at Auburn and at Navy. Later in the year the Bulldogs play 4 of 5 on the road with a home game against Boise State sandwiched in between.

Secondary: The glaring weak link in the La. Tech defense. They allowed way too many short and mid-range throws to be completed last year to keep the chains moving. That has to change.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: From October 24 through November 21 La. Tech plays 4 of 5 games on the road with Boise State sandwiched in between. Who did the Bulldogs piss off? After Boise State La. Tech goes to Death Valley to battle LSU then head out to Fresno. La. Tech will be a better team on the field but probably wins 6-7 games. Should make a bowl too.

Phil: Derrick Dooley has this team rolling. These guys have gotten some attention and they have earned it. I still don’t get the whole WAC thing…but whatever. The schedule may be what does them in this year. It will be hard to be very competitive within the conference with such a tough out of conference schedule. 4th place, though the bottom line improves…a lot.

Nelson: Look for another tour of the southeastern second-tier bowl this year for Coach Dooley. The home game in Shreveport last year did wonders for the karma of the program. Interesting to see if there’s some carry-over…

San Jose State Spartans

2008 Record: 6-6 Overall, 4-4 In The WAC

Believe it or not Dick Tomey is building a program at San Jose State. The Spartans have gone from getting the paddles to a near full recovery.

Things To Like About San Jose State:

Defense: They are good. When he’s not double or triple teamed DE Carl Ihenacho will make plays and disrupt the opponent’s backfield.

Things Not To Like About San Jose State:

Offensive Line: They were not very good last year and had a tough time protecting their QB. Their will be pressure on the O-Line to improve for the Spartans to have a special year.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: A tip of the hat to Dick Tomey for making football matter at SJSU. San Jose State opens at USC, a loss, then host Utah, possible win, then at Stanford, pick’em. This is a team that could be the surprise of the league is things fall into place.

Phil: Do you know the way to San Jose? The hurdles are large and I’m not sure they are up to the task. They will be OK and they will scare some folks. Don’t look for the record to be any better than last year.

Nelson: Dick Tomey, really, deserves Coach of The Year consideration. But people want success of ungodly proportions to think about it instead of going from “dead” to “relevant.” If the Spartans catch a break here or there, they could be in Louisiana Tech’s place in the bowl picture.

Utah State Aggies

2008 Record: 3-9, 3-5 In The WAC

Things To Like About Utah State:

Depth: The Aggies return 18 starters and 48 letterman and can go 2-deep in every position.

Things Not To Like About Utah State:

Not Very Big: The Aggies are one of the smallest teams in the country. They will have to rely on quickness than hand to hand combat.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: They say Utah State should be the most improved team in the WAC. I’ll take their word on that. 4-5 wins in 2009.

Phil: Yawn. Not impressed. They are the 3rd best team in Utah. They won’t be a threat this year unless they get bigger and stronger and deeper. Don’t look for much if any improvement.

Nelson: : Baby steps here… I agree with the 4-5 win idea, but any kind of tangible success is still a bit off.

Hawaii Warriors

2008 Record: 7-7 Overall, 5-3 In The WAC
Lost To Notre Dame 49-21 In The Hawaii Bowl

Things To Like About Hawaii:

Big Plays: The Warriors live by that. Greg Alexander is no Colt Brennan but he’s getting there. Hawaii’s receivers have playmakers. They may torch some of the league’s weak defensive backfields

Things Not To Like About Hawaii:

Defense: It has to be totally rebuilt. The Hawaii defense only has 2 returning starters. It will be a work in progress.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: I just don’t see how Hawaii makes it back to a bowl. To many questions on defense and the offense will have pressure to put 40 points on the board.

Phil: They haven’t been the same since June Jones left. No depth on “D” will kill them; they aren’t good enough to make up for it. Bottom 1/3rd of the league.

Nelson: Rebuilding when you have as technical an offense the Rainbows have is never a good recipe. There will be a dip from 7 wins and a return to the middle of the pile…

Idaho Vandals

2008 Record: 2-10, 1-7 In The WAC

Things To Like About Idaho:

Deonte’ Jackson: One of the best running backs in the WAC. Unfortunately his talents are rarely displayed because the Vandals are out of games early. Jackson will get his share of carries this year. He’s all Idaho has.

Things Not To Like About Idaho:

Where Do I Start: The Vandals couldn’t score last year or could stop their opponents from scoring. One if not both of those issues must improve for Idaho to begin to move up.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: It won’t be fun to watch at the Kibbie Dome this year.

Phil: Again, sorry. Not feeling it. While they may be a bunch of good kids, they don’t have the horses to run with the big boys. There really isn’t much else that I can say here.

Nelson: Next....

New Mexico State Aggies

2008 Record: 3-9 Overall, 1-7 In The WAC

Things To Like About New Mexico State:

The Hal Mumme Experiment Is Over: They would chuck it in Las Cruises but it didn’t translate into touchdowns or even wins. DeWayne Walker takes over and is a coup for NMSU. Walker has BCS program written all over him so if Walker moves the program up the WAC food chain he might be gone. Enjoy him while you can Aggie fans.

Things Not To Like About New Mexico State:

Everything: This isn’t a good football team so don’t expect a turnaround.

OSG’s Take:

Wilkie: Another year in the WAC basement for New Mexico State.

Phil: They’ve got “A long, long way to go”. I agree with Wilkie, coach Walker will help, but they are going to need time. A lot of time. There is always 2011.

Nelson: Is there any place lower than last…???

OSG'S Take On The WAC

2009 WAC Champion
Wilkie: Boise State
Phil: Fresno State
Nelson: Boise State

Best Offensive Player:
Wilkie: Colin Kaepernick – Nevada
Phil: Ryan Thompson- Fresno State
Nelson: Colin Kaepernick - Nevada

Best Defensive Player:
Wilkie: Kyle Wilson – Boise State
Phil: Kevin Basped, Nevada
Nelson: Jeron Johnson - Boise State

Mark Fox To UGA From Nevada

((HT: Chip Towers/AJC and Mark Schlabach/ESPN))

Georgia has hired Nevada coach Mark Fox ((pictured, thanks AJC)) as its men’s basketball coach and will introduce him at a news conference tomorrow at 11 a.m. in Athens, according to persons within the UGA athletics department.

Fox put together a 123-43 record in five seasons at Nevada, won the Western Athletic Conference four times, and appeared in the NCAA tournament his first three years.

He was an assistant at Washington, Kansas State and Nevada before being promoted when Trent Johnson accepted the job at Stanford in 2004.

He led the Wolf Pack to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2005 and ‘07.

Fox replaces Dennis Felton, who was fired January 29 after going 84-91 in six seasons at Georgia. Fox led the Wolf Pack to a 21-13 record this past season, including a 72-62 loss to Utah State in the championship game of the WAC tournament in Reno, Nevada. Nevada lost to UTEP 79-77 in the College Basketball Invitational.